OakBend Medical Center considers you a partner in your health care. When you are well informed, participate in treatment decisions and communicate openly with your doctor and other healthcare professionals, you help make your care as effective as possible. When you are a patient in the hospital, your rights and responsibilities include the following:

Respect and Dignity

You have the right to considerate, respectful care at all times free from all forms of abuse or harassment and under all circumstances with recognition of your personal dignity.

Information

You have the right to be well informed about your illness, participate in the development and implementation of your plan of care and to discuss this information with your doctor. You have the right to review your medical records and to have the information explained except when restricted by law. You have the right to notify someone of your choice and your physician of your admission to the hospital.

Refusal of Treatment

You have the right to consent or to refuse treatment, as permitted by law, throughout your hospital stay. If you refuse a recommended treatment, you will receive other needed and available care. You also have the right to know the financial implications of treatment choices.

Advanced Directives

You have the right to have an advance directive, such as a living will or power of attorney. These documents express your choices about your future care or they name someone to make decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself. If you have an advance directive you should provide a copy to the hospital, your doctor and your family.

Privacy

You have the right to privacy. Your case discussion, consultation, examination and treatments should be conducted in a manner that protects your privacy.

Confidentiality

You have the right to expect that treatment records are confidential unless you have given permission to release information or when reporting is required or permitted by law such as for suspected abuse or health hazards. When the hospital releases records to others such as insurers, it emphasizes that the records are confidential.

Transfer

You have the right to expect that the hospital will give you necessary health services to the best of its ability. Treatment, referral, or transfer may be recommended. If transfer is recommended, you will be informed of the need for, risks, benefits and alternatives to such a transfer. You will not be transferred until the other institution agrees to accept you.

Research

You have the right to consent or decline to take part in research affecting your care. If you choose not to take part, you will receive the most effective care the hospital otherwise provides.

Continuity of Care

You have the right to expect reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and to be informed by physicians and other caregivers of available and realistic patient care options when hospital care is no longer appropriate.

Hospital Rules and Regulations

You have the right to know about hospital policies affecting your treatment. You have the right to know about hospital resources, such as patient representatives or ethics committees,that can help you resolve problems and questions concerning your hospital stay and care.

Hospital Charges

You have the right to be informed of the Hospital’s charges for services and available payment methods.

Patients with Disabilities

OakBend welcomes all patients with disabilities. This hospital is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will provide auxiliary aids and services to patients with disabilities to ensure effective communication. When a patient requires auxiliary aids or services, this hospital will provide appropriate auxiliary aids or services free of charge to the patient. If you need assistance or have questions regarding this policy, please contact 281-341-2006.

Patient Responsibilities

You are responsible for providing information about past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters related to your health. You are responsible for requesting additional information or clarification when you do not fully understand information and instructions. If you anticipate problems in following prescribed treatment, you are responsible for informing your doctor and other caregivers.

OakBend Medical Center works to provide healthcare efficiently and fairly to all patients. You and your visitors are responsible for being considerate of the needs of other patients, staff and the hospital. You are responsible for providing information for insurance claims and for working with the hospital to arrange payment.